Dot etch and clearing table



3, 1967 H. R. BENSON 3,334,567

DOT ETCH AND CLEARING TABLE Filed March 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVEN TOR. 644K040 A. BEA/.SO/V

BYWW/ 6% mg f yw- ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1967 H. R. BENSON DOT ETCH AND CLEARING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1965 INVENTOR.

BEA $0M gyd.

A 7'7'ORNE Y6 HAROLD A? BYM/ United States Patent 3,334,567 DOT ETCH AND CLEARING TABLE Harold R. Benson, Lombard, Ill., assignor to The Nuarc Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 441,007 3 Claims. (CI. 95-95) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A worktable for processing transparencies, photographic plates and the like is provided with a sink top having a translucent downwardly and forwardly sloping bottom. A translucent workplate is supported on the bottom. A light source under the sink directs light upwardly through the workplate. A suitable spray is provided so that the workplate area may be covered with a washing spray.

The present invention relates to a worktable, and, more particularly, to a dot etch and clearing table for rubbingup, cleaning, washing, wiping, and otherwise processing transparencies, photographic plates, and the like.

In the commercial treatment of large transparencies, such as photographic plates and the like, materials appear on the transparencies as they are being developed and processed which must be removed from the transparencies. Moreover the material removed from the transparencies must be washed from the transparencies. It is necessary in order to process such transparencies that they be well lighted, processed on a clean hard work surface, and washed in an optimum manner while performing the required work.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved worktable for processing photographic transparencies and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved worktable for processing photographic transparencies and the like which provides a clean hard work surface for the transparency and which permits through lighting of the transparency while providing for spray washing of the transparency.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved dot etch and clearing table for processing and working transparencies and the like and provided with improved means for directing a washing spray substantially evenly over the work surface while simultaneously permitting through lighting of the transparency.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In accordance with these and many other objects of the present invention, there is provided a new and improved worktable having a recessed top including a translucent sink frame having a downwardly and forwardly sloping bottom Wall. A translucent workplate is supported on the bottom wall in a downwardly and forwardly sloping position. Suitable spray means are arranged for providing a washing spray substantially over the workplate area. A light source under the sink directs light upwardly through the workplate.

For a better understanding'ofthe present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a worktable according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the worktable of FIG- URE 1;

3,334,567 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 FIGURE 3 is a front view of the worktable of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional side view of the worktable of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the worktable taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, and drawn to a larger scale than FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4, and drawn to the same scale as FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a dot etc-h and clearing table 10 according to the present invention. The table 10 includes a table top assembly 11 supported on suitable supporting structure such as a floor stand 12. The table top assembly includes a translucent sink or sink frame 15 of suitable material such as highimpact polystyrene and having a rectangular, sloped, recessed center area forming a downwardly and forwardly sloping bottom wall 150.

For the purpose of supporting a flat hard translucent workplate 18 of ground or polished plate glass or other suitable material, the bottom wall 15a of the sink frame is provided with right triangular elevations 19, FIG- URES 5 and 6, adjacent each of the corners of the bottom wall 15a of the sink frame. The sides of the right angle of the right triangular elevations are parallel with the adjacent sides of the sink and an angle shaped railing is contiguous with the right angle sides of the elevations 19. In this manner the workplate 18 is supported on the elevations 19 above the bottom surface of the sink 15 and is positioned and held in place by the angle shaped railings 20 in a downwardly and forwardly sloping position. Suitable workpieces 21, such as photographic transparencies,'may be placed on the workplate 18.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, suitable spray means are provided for directing washing or rinsing water over the workplate 18 and associated workpiece 21. More specifically the spray means includes a spray tube 24 within the recessed portion of the sink and extending along the back side thereof. The spray tube 24 is provided with a plurality of forwardly extending spray apertures 24a for directing a spray over the workplate 18. Additionally a swingable spray nozzle 25 is pivotally mounted to one end of a pivotally mounted support tube 26. In this manner the spray nozzle 25 may be swung with the support tube .26 into an infinite number of arcuate positions as indicated in phantom in FIGURE 2 as 26a and 26b, and additionally may be pivoted about its own pivotal axis, as indicated in FIGURE 2 at 26c and 26d so as to selectively provide for a spray through out the work area.

A control valve assembly 28 selectively directs warm or cold water to the tubes 24 and 26. More specifically, the control valve assembly includes hot and cold water valves 29 and 30 for providing a proper mixing of hot and cold water, a spray valve 31 for directing the mixed water to the spray tube 24 and a spry valve 32 for directing mixed water to the spray nozzle 25. A spray hose 33 connects the spray valve 31 with the spray tube 24, and suitable fittings 34 connect the spray valve 32 with the spray nozzle 25 through the support tube 26. Additionally hot and cold water connections 35 and 36 are provided for connecting the respective water valves 29 and 30 to a source of hot and cold water.

Drain means 38 are provided at the lower forward edge of the bottom wall 15a to provide for connection to a suitable drain.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention a suitable light source 40 is positioned under the translucent bottom wall 15a of the sink frame 15 for directing light upwardly through the workplate 18. In the illustrated embodiment the light source 40 comprises a plurality of fluorescent tubes 40a. The tubes 40a are mounted on a pivoted wall or door 41 which may be opened downwardly about a hinge 42 to permit replacement of the tubes 40a. Additionally a suitable electrical connection from a light switch 43, FIGURE 1, regulates the on-oif condition of the fluorescent tube 40a.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to only a single embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerous other modifications and embodiments will be devised by those skilled in the art which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dot etch and clearing table comprising a floor stand; a recessed top including a translucent polystyrene sink frame having a downwardly and forwardly sloping bottom wall; a translucent workplate supported on said bottom wall in a downwardly and forwardly sloping position; a spray tube within said recessed top extending along the back thereof and including a plurality of forwardly extending spray apertures for directing a spray over said workplate; a pivotally mounted support tube; a spray nozzle pivotally mounted at one end of said support tube and movable into a plurality of positions over said workplate for directing a spray downwardly onto said workplate; a control valve assembly; means interconnecting said control valve assembly with each of said tubes; means for connecting said control valve assembly to a source of hot and cold water; and a light source under said workplate for directing light upwardly through said workplate.

2. A dot etch and clearing table as set forth in claim 1 above wherein said sink frame is generally rectangular and is formed with a right triangular elevation adjacent each of its corners aligned with the sides of the right angle thereof parallel with the adjacent sides of said sink frame, and having an angle shaped railing contiguous with said sides of said right angle, said workplate being supported above the bottom surface of said sink frame on said elevations and positioned by said angle shaped railmgs.

3. A dot etch and clearing table as set forth in claim 1 above and including drain means opening along the lower forward surface of said bottom wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,501,762 7/1924 Ferguson 4-145 2,213,146 8/1940 Ogg 4187 2,877,700 3/1959 Keller 95-97 3,005,995 10/1961 Bickford 4-145 3,067,667 12/1962 Krehbiel 95-95 3,166,999 1/1965 Dement 95-100 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

F. L. BRAUN, Examiner. 

1. A DOT ETCH AND CLEARING TABLE COMPRISING A FLOOR STAND; A RECESSED TOP INCLUDING A TRANSLUCENT POLYSTYRENE SINK FRAME HAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY SLOPING BOTTOM WALL; A TRANSLUCENT WORKPLATE SUPPORTED ON SAID BOTTOM WALL IN A DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY SLOPING POSITION; A SPRAY TUBE WITHIN SAID RECESSED TOP EXTENDING ALONG THE BACK THEREOF AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF FORWARDLY EXTENDING SPRAY APERTURES FOR DIRECTING A SPRAY OVER SAID WORKPLATE; A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED SUPPORT TUBE; A SPRAY NOZZLE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END OF SAID SUPPORT TUBE AND MOVABLE INTO A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS OVER SAID WORK- 